Lubrizol to build resin, compounding plant in Texas

Lubrizol is planning to build a new resin and compounding manufacturing facility in Deer Park, Texas, at an investment of $125 million, the company said on Thursday.

The additional capacity will serve Lubrizol building and construction customers on a global basis, according to the company.

Lubrizol says it projects continued strong global growth in its chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) business, with particularly strong demand in India and other developing economies.

To provide ongoing support to global customers, Lubrizol says it is launching a multi-phased CPVC capacity expansion plan, beginning with the new resin and compounding facility in Texas.

Lubrizol said it evaluated several options for the plan's first phase and determined that the most efficient step is to build a new plant located adjacent to Lubrizol's existing Deer Park additives facility, leveraging current Lubrizol infrastructure and expertise.

Additional site benefits include its close proximity to the Gulf shipping channel and direct access to pipeline chlorine, according to the company.

The facility, which Lubrizol described as world-class, is expected to be operational by the 2014 fourth quarter and is designed to complement the company's existing CPVC manufacturing facilities. Specific capacity details were not disclosed.

By expanding our manufacturing footprint, we are ensuring future technology requirements are met and our responses to changes in demand are well managed, said Eric Schnur, president of Lubrizol Advanced Materials.

With this additional capacity, we will be in a much stronger position to better serve the needs of our existing and future customers globally."